Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

[Jazz Rock]

Or A5 against A2!!!

Right! So here is the idea: after the successfull makeover of my Epi, I am starting to look at my Gibson...

The Epi has got a pair of '59, so I would be looking for something a wee bit different. Still able to deliver rock, hard rock and jazz, but with a more modern touch.

After checking the caracteristics on the SD website, I came up with the idea of a relatively boosting pickup in the bridge, and a smooth pickup giving nice clean runs in the neck.

So which one would win your heart... and why?

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

Between the two main options, I went with Alnico 2 Pro + CC. All this depends on the individual guitar's tonal personality of course, but I tend to favor a big, wide tone out of my humbuckers while retaining top end clarity and articulation.

As for what I actually HAVE:

2003 LP Standard (with killer rippling, ribbony flame under faded cherry burst): Underwound (7.0k) Phat Cat in neck, Jon Moore custom humbucker (11.2k with mismatched coils at 6.7k screw and 4.5k slug), wired with Spin-A-Split mod on Jon Moore.

2001 ES-355 (vintage-burst with rolling flame that borders on quilt): Seth Lover with Alnico 5 in neck; Custom Custom with Alnico 3 in bridge, aka Custom 3.

For you I'd recommend my 355 package -- though you might want an Alnico 4 in the CC.

 

[Jazz Rock]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

Oy! Nobodyelse wants to comment this fierce duel?

 

[theodie]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

I picked CC/APH. I hate everything about the JB personally!!! I would actually really recomend the custom/Pearly gates to you though. I looked at another thread where you stated some of the bands you liked and it would be great for those.

 

[frankencat]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

I like the APH/CC over the Jazz/JB but what about the '59/Custom combo?

 

[Jazz Rock]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

I like the APH/CC over the Jazz/JB but what about the '59/Custom combo?

I don't know... tell me about it.

 

[Stevo]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

Seth Lover/a2pro - for classic rock
Custom/a2pro - for harder rock

 

[Jazz Rock]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

I picked CC/APH. I hate everything about the JB personally!!! I would actually really recomend the custom/Pearly gates to you though. I looked at another thread where you stated some of the bands you liked and it would be great for those.

Thank you for the recomendation Theodie, could you explain why you think I would prefer the PG to the APH?

There was also another thing I was wondering about. I had a good chat with the luthier who worked on my Epi and is not a great fan of pup with alnico 2 magnet because he says that it doesn't age as French wine :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:. He would take pup with A5 rather than with A2 anytime because of this. What do you think about this?

 

[theodie]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

I wouldnt worry what your luthier is a fan of personally. I am not even sure what he is trying to say :laugh2: :laugh2:. I love the PG in the neck with the custom. I use the same setup in my Explorer and they have this outstanding balance with each other. I actually like the middle position on this guitar. About the APH vs. the PG, I like them both but, I think the PG just has a little more personality in the neck position than the APH. In my opinion, I think the PG neck does some of the best lead sounds for a neck bucker. Its killa. Not to take anything away from the APH because I also like the APH.

 

[Jazz Rock]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

I wouldnt worry what your luthier is a fan of personally. I am not even sure what he is trying to say :laugh2: :laugh2:. I love the PG in the neck with the custom. I use the same setup in my Explorer and they have this outstanding balance with each other. I actually like the middle position on this guitar. About the APH vs. the PG, I like them both but, I think the PG just has a little more personality in the neck position than the APH. In my opinion, I think the PG neck does some of the best lead sounds for a neck bucker. Its killa. Not to take anything away from the APH because I also like the APH.

Sounds smashing, I will defenitely consider your advice Theodie. Cheers.
There is just one little thing... You would prefer a ceramic pup to an alnico pup for the bridge? Isn't it a little too "boosting" (can't find the right world, hope you see what I mean) for what I play?
Out of curiosity, what do you have in your LP (if you got one) and what kind of stuuf do you play with?

About the A5/A2 thing, I guess I was'nt really clear. What he says is an A2 will loose its magnetic property more quickly than an A5... but that's not something I have ever seen on this forum... ???

 

[theodie]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

If I didnt know the custom had a ceramic magent, I wouldnt know it had one by the tone of it. It sounds like a PAF with more balls. It still has that Paf sound though. About the A2/A5 magnets losing its gauss, I wouldnt even worry about it. It will probally take 30-50 years before you notice any kind of difference anyway. I wouldnt even worry about it.

On to my LP's, I have a C5/jazz in one and a APH/APH in the other. I have actually considered putting Custom's in the bridges of those also!!!! The custom is my most favorite Duncan bridge bucker and I think it is very versatile also.

 

[Jazz Rock]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

If I didnt know the custom had a ceramic magent, I wouldnt know it had one by the tone of it. It sounds like a PAF with more balls. It still has that Paf sound though. About the A2/A5 magnets losing its gauss, I wouldnt even worry about it. It will probally take 30-50 years before you notice any kind of difference anyway. I wouldnt even worry about it.

On to my LP's, I have a C5/jazz in one and a APH/APH in the other. I have actually considered putting Custom's in the bridges of those also!!!! The custom is my most favorite Duncan bridge bucker and I think it is very versatile also.

So that really sounds smashing, +1 for the PG/C...

And thanks for your views on the A2 question.

 

[Kac]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

JB/Jazz is my favorite pick-up combo without-a-doubt!

Rock On - Kac

 

[slash857]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

good convincing theodie, now im definitely getting the custom/pg in my lp down the road, and not gonna think about dimarzios again lol.

 

[rainsong86]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

I've only used a JB/59 combo.. I woulda gone with the jazz but I ONLY use the neck pickup for clean and I was looking for a more mellow tone... when I use distortion I crank it to 10 and scoop the mids.. can anybody tell me if a custom custom would sound good in a les paul playing through a marshall with scooped mids (think adam jones)

 

[theodie]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

I've only used a JB/59 combo.. I woulda gone with the jazz but I ONLY use the neck pickup for clean and I was looking for a more mellow tone... when I use distortion I crank it to 10 and scoop the mids.. can anybody tell me if a custom custom would sound good in a les paul playing through a marshall with scooped mids (think adam jones)

I have tried a CC in a LP through a Marshall and it is way too mid heavy!!! Almost to the point where I would consider it undefined.

 

[Jazz Rock]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

Oh! one last question: For the look of the guitar I will need to have a gold cover on the pups. So...

1- Is the effect of a cover is import to the sound of the pup, or is it just a slight loss of output?

2- Is it possible to find a PG and Custom covered? If not, can I do it myself easily without risking to wreck the pups?

 

[Jazz Rock]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

Bump

 

[theodie]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

Oh! one last question: For the look of the guitar I will need to have a gold cover on the pups. So...

1- Is the effect of a cover is import to the sound of the pup, or is it just a slight loss of output?

2- Is it possible to find a PG and Custom covered? If not, can I do it myself easily without risking to wreck the pups?

The cover almost makes no difference. Nothing to worry about there. Yes, you can get them covered also!

 

[ErikH]

Re: Jazz/JB vs AIIp/CC

I love both these combos. Can't really vote. Good info from theodie. Very informative. I'm seeing lots more questions about the CC lately, more than I have in the last few months.